ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A teenager who reportedly has a mental condition narrowly escaped serious injury Saturday night when residents rushed to his aid and pulled him from a burning car, minutes after he allegedly stole the vehicle.

Sources said the 15 year old refused to exit the vehicle though it was engulfed in flames, so residents braved the heat and dragged him out to safety.

Police detained the teen but once the investigators learned of his condition, he was released and a psychiatric evaluation was ordered.

Meantime, owner of the vehicle, MacGyver Daawuud, told OBSERVER Media Group he parked his one-month-old Honda Civic, A35145, in front of his barbershop on Potters Main Road hours earlier.

He said he was cutting someone’s hair when he heard the car engine, after which he saw it move off.

“I was cutting a gentleman’s hair when I heard my vehicle start and from the time it started I shoot up. I never knew my keys were in it because the windows were up and I thought they were in my pocket. I was surprised when I saw it go off,” the man said.

Daawuud said at first he thought it was a prank by someone he knew, but once he realised otherwise, he immediately went to Police Headquarters and filed a report.

According to the barber, he knows the suspected car thief and identified him as a lad whose hair he cuts.

According to police reports, the teen drove the vehicle with the hand brakes in the upright position, causing the brakes to overheat.

As a result, the rear right wheel burst into flames and the teen had no choice but to bring the vehicle to a halt in the vicinity of Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Daawuud said the vehicle is worth over EC $60,000.

(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)